Abstract

UK employment services are increasingly delivered by public, private and third sector organisations
in quasi-markets that can be viewed as fields with actors (providers) competing for resources and
position. The commissioning of the Work Programme produced an ‘episode of contention’ as fewer
resources, shifting policy priorities and new contractual arrangements restructured relationships
within the field. Drawing on empirical research the paper demonstrates how providers with different
resources have navigated this period, employing strategies to manage challenger and incumbent
roles and maintain their position in the field. The findings contribute to both field theory and our
theoretical understanding of employment services.
key words employment services • Work Programme commissioning • sector • field theory